Roethlisberger breaks hearts of Browns fans, again

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger reaches for his left ankle after getting crushed by two Cleveland Browns defensive linemen Thursday night.

Ron FritzThe Baltimore Sun

I've seen it all as a Cleveland Browns fan -- The Drive, The Fumble, leaving for Baltimore, etc. I've never seen a Super Bowl, playoff success, great draft picks who turn into franchise saviors. The latest entry in "It sucks to be a Browns fan" is Ben Roethlisberger's return to last night's game and the Steelers' subsequent victory.

Let's face it, Browns fans have had very little to cheer about. But when Scott Paxson hit Roethlisberger and the QB's ankle rolled under the Browns' defensive tackle, I thought for sure he was done for the season, not just the game. A sense of pride swept over me.

”I thought my leg was broken, honestly,” Roethlisberger told reporters after the game. ”One of the most painful things I've ever felt. I didn't want to feel that my foot was outside of my leg."

Somehow he walked out of the tunnel for the second half, and, of course, led the Steelers to victory. I should not have been surprised. The Browns have lost 15 of 16 games to the Steelers. It's getting old.

Now Roethlisberger has about 10 days to get ready for his next game, a Monday night game on Dec. 19 against the San Francisco 49ers. Do you think John Harbaugh will share some of the Ravens' secrets in beating the Steelers twice this season?